Abstract The first description of the fourth instar larva and pupa of Palpomyia mapuche Spinelli, Grogan & Ronderos and the pupa of P. subfuscula Ingram & Macfie are provided, as well as the redescription of the pupa of P. subaspera (Coquillett). Studied specimens were collected in lotic environments of Argentinian Patagonia, in Neuquén and Chubut Provinces. The described stages were examined and illustrated with a phase-contrast microscope. The larva was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Data on the bionomics for P. mapuche and new records for the three species are provided.

The Bluetongue virus appears to be restricted in Argentina to the northeastern area of the country. In the Neotropical region the main vector could be Culicoides insignis Lutz. This study was aimed to determine the population fluctuation of C. insignis in Posadas city and test the influence of climatic variables as determinants of the abundance of this species. The specimens were collected in Posadas city using CDC light traps from January to December 2013. The abundance of C. insignis in relation to environmental variables was analyzed using multivariate linear regression. A total of 2,952 specimens of C. insignis were collected representing 93.4% of the total Culicoides captured. The multivariate linear regression analyses show that the monthly mean relative humidity was the variable that best explained the population dynamics of C. insignis in the work area. The pathogen transmission is probably influenced by the abundance of the vector in this area. The population peaks observed are indicative of periods when there should be more control to prevent transmission of the disease. This is the first report of population fluctuation of C. insignis in northeastern Argentina.

En Argentina, la distribución de la enfermedad del Virus de la Lengua Azul se encuentra restringida al noreste del país. En la región Neotropical el principal vector sería Culicoides insignis Lutz. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la fluctuación poblacional de C. insignis en la ciudad de Posadas y también la influencia de las variables climáticas como determinantes en la abundancia de esta especie. Los ejemplares fueron capturados mediante trampas de luz en el período comprendido entre enero y diciembre de 2013. La relación entre el número de C. insignis capturados y las variables ambientales fue analizada por regresión lineal multivariada. Se recolectaron 2.952 ejemplares de C. insignis representando el 93,4% del total de Culicoides capturados. Los análisis de regresión lineal multivariada muestran que la humedad relativa media mensual fue la variable que mejor explicó la dinámica de C. insignis en la zona de estudio. La transmisión de patógenos está probablemente influenciada por la abundancia del vector en el área. Los picos poblacionales observados indican los períodos donde debe haber mayor control para evitar la transmisión de la enfermedad. Este es el primer reporte sobre fluctuación poblacional de C. insignis en el noreste del país.

ABSTRACT A new monotypic genus and species of predaceous midge from the southernmost area of the Argentinean Yungas, Yungahelea australis Spinelli and Ronderos, is described and illustrated from male and female adults. It belongs to a group containing the Ceratopogonini genera Parabezzia Malloch, Diaphanobezzia Ingram and Macfie, Spinellihelea Borkent, Grogan and Picado, Leptohelea Wirth and Blanton, and Fittkauhelea Wirth and Blanton. Phylogenetic interpretation indicates that Yungahelea is the sister group of Spinellihelea or the clade composed by Parabezzia and Diaphanobezzia.

ABSTRACT The fourth instar larva and pupa of Atrichopogon delpontei Cavalieri and Chiossone are described for the first time. The immatures were collected from stream margins in the northern Brazilian states Rondônia and Piauí, and subsequently reared to adults. Larvae and pupae are illustrated and photomicrographed. Details on the rearing process and feeding behavior in laboratory, bionomics and notes on habitats are also provided.

ABSTRACT Two new species of Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Diaz, Felippe-Bauer & Spinelli sp. nov. are described, illustrated and photographed from Peru and Brazil respectively, based on male and female adults. These species are typical members of mutabilis species group and are compared with similar species within the group.

RESUMEN Macho y hembra de dos nuevas especies de Dasyhelea Kieffer, Dasyhelea jorgei Díaz sp. nov. and Dasyhelea mineira Díaz sp. nov., se describen, ilustran y fotografían provenientes de Perú y Brasil respectivamente. Ambas especies son típicos miembros del grupo mutabilis y son comparadas con las especies similares dentro del grupo.

The male of Diaphanobezzia patagonica Spinelli & Grogan is described and photographed from specimens collected in association with females in the Somuncura plateau, in the steppe area of central Patagonia. The male herein described is compared with the congeners D. pellucida Ingram & Macfie and D. spinellii Wirth & Grogan. Besides, D. patagonica is recorded from the Laguna Blanca National Park.

Se describe e ilustra el macho de Diaphanobezzia patagonica Spinelli & Grogan sobre la base de ejemplares capturados en asociación con hembras en la meseta de Somuncura, en la estepa de la Patagonia central. El macho aquí descripto es comparado con los machos de los congéneres D. pellucida Ingram & Macfie y D. spinellii Wirth & Grogan. Además, se registra a D. patagonica del Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca.

A new species of predaceous midge, Austrosphaeromias setosa sp. nov., is described and illustrated from adult males and females collected in the Patagonian-Andean region of Argentina and Chile. Based on examination of the type species of Austrosphaeromias Spinelli, 1997 and recently collected specimens from near the type-locality, the female and previously unknown male of Austrosphaeromias chilensis (Ingram & Macfie, 1931) are also described and illustrated. Descriptions are accompanied by color photographs and illustrations of key features of females and males of both species. We also provide a key to adult females and males of the four species of Austrosphaeromias.

Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de mosquita predadora, Austrosphaeromias setosa sp. nov., a partir de adultos macho y hembra colectados en la región Andino-patagónica de Argentina y Chile. Además, sobre la base del examen de la especie tipo de Austrosphaeromias Spinelli, 1997 y de ejemplares recientemente colectados en las proximidades de la localidad tipo, se describen e ilustran la hembra de Austrosphaeromias chilensis (Ingram & Macfie, 1931) y el macho, previamente desconocido. Las descripciones son acompañadas por fotografías a color e ilustraciones de los caracteres clave de hembras y machos de ambas especies. Se brinda, además, una clave para adultos hembra y macho de las cuatro especies de Austrosphaeromias.

The following two new species of Culicoides from the Argentinean Yungas are described, illustrated and placed to subgenus or species group and compared with related congeners: Culicoides calchaqui Spinelli & Veggiani Aybar and Culicoides willinki Spinelli & Veggiani Aybar. Culicoides daedaloides Wirth & Blanton is recorded for the first time for Argentina and Culicoides pseudoheliconiae Felippe-Bauer is firstly mentioned from the northwestern region of the country.

Uma espécie nova da Região Neotropical, Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) pseudopunctulata Cazorla & Ronderos, é descrita e ilustrada a partir de adultos macho e fêmea e exúvia pupal. Os adultos foram coletados nas províncias argentinas de Chaco, Formosa, Corrientes e Buenos Aires e em Santa Cruz, Bolívia. A pupa foi coletada em tapetes de macrófitas aquáticas flutuantes em um lago na Ilha de Marchantaria, nas proximidades de Manaus, Brasil. Esta espécie nova é comparada com a sua congênere semelhante Stilobezzia punctulata Lane, a partir da qual pode ser distinguida principalmente pela asa com apenas duas manchas escuras, parâmeros mais longos e em forma de gancho, órgão respiratório da pupa com 11-12 poros e processo apicolateral do segmento anal muito curto.

A new species from the Neotropical Region, Stilobezzia (Stilobezzia) pseudopunctulata Cazorla & Ronderos, is described and illustrated based on male and female adults and pupal exuviae. Adults were collected in the Argentinian provinces of Chaco, Formosa, Corrientes and Buenos Aires, and in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The pupa was collected from mats of floating aquatic macrophytes in a lagoon in Ilha da Marchantería, in the vicinities of Manaus, Brazil. This new species is compared with its similar congener Stilobezzia punctulata Lane, from which it can be mainly distinguished by the wing with only two dark spots, the parameres longer and hook-shaped, the pupal respiratory organ with 11-12 pores and the very short apicolateral processes of the anal segment.

A new species, Stilobezzia ( Acanthohelea) longisternalis, collected in the Nothofagus forest of the Nahuel Huapi National Park (Argentina) is described, photographed and illustrated based on the examination of male and female adults. The new species can be easily recognized by the elongate and narrow posteromedian projection of the male sternite 9; it is compared with S. (A.) hirsuta Ingram & Macfie.

Una nueva especie, Stilobezzia (Acanthohelea) longisternalis, colectada en los bosques de Nothofagus del Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi (Argentina), se describe, fotografía e ilustra en base al estudio de machos y hembras adultos. La nueva especie se reconoce fácilmente por presentar una proyección posteromediana alargada y delgada en el esternito 9 de los machos. Se compara con S. (A.) hirsuta Ingram & Macfie.

Examination of the type-series and non-type specimens of the Patagonian biting midge, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) multipicta Ingram & Macfie (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), revealed considerable variation in wing patterns of both sexes. One pattern includes several distinct light spot areas, whereas another pattern (e.g, in the holotype) only features marginal light spots in cell r3, while other light spots are barely perceptible or absent. The cause(s) of the differential lack of dark macrotrichia in certain areas of the wing membrane in specimens of some series could not be attributed either to their age, sex, or method of preservation.

El estudio de la serie-tipo y de ejemplares no típicos de la mosquita patagónica, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) multipicta Ingram & Macfie, reveló una variación considerable en el diseño alar de ambos sexos. Uno de los patrones incluye varias áreas claras distintivas, mientras que el otro diseño (e.g., en el holotipo) solo muestra áreas claras marginales en la celda r3, y algunas que son poco perceptibles o están ausentes. La(s) causa(s) de la pérdida diferencial de macrotriquias, en ciertas áreas de la membrana alar en ejemplares de diferentes series, no puede ser atribuida al sexo, edad de los ejemplares o método de preservación.

The pupal exuvia of Mallochohelea termophila (Spinelli) is redescribed, photographed and illustrated mainly based on the type-series. Pupae of the type-series were collected with forceps from a thermal stream and were attached to rocks about 200 m from the spring head. Pupae from Uruguay were collected with a dipper in lotic and lentic environments. They were reared to adults in the laboratory. This is the first detailed pupal description of a species of Mallochohelea, and the first record of this species from Uruguay. Similarities and differences with the pupae of Neobezzia are provided.

Se describe, fotografía e ilustra la exuvia pupal de Mallochohelea termophila (Spinelli), en especial sobre la base de la serie-tipo. Las pupas de la serie-tipo fueron recolectadas mediante pinzas en un arroyo termal, adheridas a rocas, aproximadamente a 200 m del manatial y las pupas de Uruguay mediante el uso de un cucharón tanto en ambientes lóticos como lénticos. Ellas fueron criadas hasta adultos en el laboratorio. Ésta es la primera descripción detallada de una pupa de una especie de Mallochohelea y el primer registro de la especie para Uruguay. Se destacan semejanzas y diferencias con las pupas de Neobezzia.

The pupa of Parabezzia balseiroi Spinelli & Grogan was described and illustrated using binocular microscope, camera lucida and digital photographs. Pupae were captured along a stream margin in the Parque Provincial E. Tornquist Reserve, Sierra de la Ventana, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Also, additional pupae were observed, measured and photographed on the basis of the type series deposited in the Museo de La Plata. Parabezzia balseiroi is compared with P. alexanderi Wirth, which was also herein studied and photographed from Nearctic specimens.

Se describe e ilustra la pupa de Parabezzia balseiroi Spinelli & Grogan, utilizando microscopio binocular, cámara clara y fotografía digital. Las pupas fueron capturadas en el margen de un arroyo en la reserva Parque Provincial E. Tornquist, Sierra de la Ventana, provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Asimismo, se observaron, midieron y fotografiaron las pupas de la serie tipo depositadas en el Museo de La Plata. Se compara Parabezzia balseiroi con P. alexanderi Wirth, la cual ha sido también estudiada y fotografiada en este trabajo, sobre la base de ejemplares neárticos.

Pupa e adulto macho previamente desconhecidos de Neobezzia fittkaui Wirth & Ratanaworabhan (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae). A pupa de Neobezzia fittkaui Wirth & Ratanaworabhan, 1972 foi coletada em macrófitas aquáticas flutuantes (Salvinia auriculata Aubl., Salviniaceae) na Ilha da Marchantaria próximo a Manaus, Brasil e o adulto macho criado foi descrito, fotografado e ilustrado pela primeira vez. Esta é a primeira descrição para a pupa do gênero Neobezzia Wirth & Ratanaworabhan.

The previously unknown pupa and adult male of Neobezzia fittkaui Wirth & Ratanaworabhan (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae). The pupa of Neobezzia fittkaui Wirth & Ratanaworabhan, 1972, collected from a mat of floating fern (Salvinia auriculata Aubl., Salviniaceae) in Ilha da Marchantaria near Manaus, Brazil and the reared adult male are described, photographed and illustrated for the first time. This is the first detailed pupal description for the genus Neobezzia Wirth & Ratanaworabhan.